Monz resigns as Carlynton football coach

Mauro Monz resigned Monday morning as Carlynton football coach, citing safety concerns for a team reduced by injuries to 22 players after moving up to Class AA this fall.

Monz was in his first season at Carlynton, after serving as an assistant coach at Youngstown State, Duquesne, Robert Morris, Akron and Pitt.

The school has 177 boys in grades 9-11 — three over the Class A cutoff, according to the PIAA — forcing it to move up from Class A to the Class AA Century Conference this fall. The Cougars (0-3) have been outscored 121-40 through the first three games.

“The main reason was when I was on the sidelines and saw our kids come off the field, it became an ethical issue for me,” Monz said. “You don't want to ever tell your team you can't win. But our game plans were designed to protect our players.”

Junior running back Isiah Canton, a returning 1,000-yard rusher, was lost for the season to a broken foot in Friday's 37-0 loss to Seton-La Salle, Monz said. Junior wide receiver-defensive back Shafique Patterson, Monz added, is out with a detached retina.

Carlynton athletic director Nate Milsom could not be reached for comment.

— Kevin Gorman